How to Delete Telegram Account
By TechEvangelistSEO Team · Updated August 2026
How to delete Telegram account: Go to my.telegram.org/auth in any browser, log in with your phone number, enter the code sent to Telegram, click "Delete Account", select a reason, and confirm. Account is deleted immediately with no recovery. Download your data first using Telegram Desktop.
Important: Read Before Deleting
- No recovery: Deletion is permanent and instant. No 30-day grace period like other platforms.
- All data gone: Messages, contacts, groups, channels, media, and settings are permanently erased.
- Download data first: Use Telegram Desktop (Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram Data) to save your chat history.
- Username freed: Your username becomes available for others to claim immediately.
Method 1: Web Deletion (All Devices)
This is the only way to delete immediately. Works on iPhone, Android, and desktop.
- Open a browser and go to my.telegram.org/auth.
- Enter your phone number in international format (e.g., +15551234567).
- Click Next and check your Telegram app for the login code.
- Enter the code you received in the Telegram app (not SMS).
- Click "Delete Account" under the "Your Account" section.
- Select a reason for leaving (optional but required).
- Click "Done" to confirm deletion.
Method 2: Self-Destruction Timer (Android Only)
If you don't want immediate deletion, set an inactivity timer. Your account auto-deletes if you don't log in for the set period.
- Open Telegram app on Android.
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security.
- Scroll to "If Away" under "Delete My Account".
- Select a period: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year.
- If you don't log in during that time, your account auto-deletes.
Download Your Data First
Do this BEFORE deleting. Only Telegram Desktop (Windows/macOS/Linux) can export your data.
- Install Telegram Desktop from desktop.telegram.org.
- Log in with your phone number and the code sent to Telegram.
- Go to Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram Data.
- Select what to export: Personal chats, Groups, Channels, Photos, Videos, Files, Voice messages.
- Click Export. The HTML file saves to your computer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to delete Telegram account permanently?
Go to my.telegram.org/auth, log in with phone number, enter code from Telegram app, click "Delete Account", select reason, confirm. Deleted immediately, no recovery.
How to delete Telegram on iPhone?
Cannot delete from iPhone app. Use Safari to visit my.telegram.org/auth, log in, enter code from Telegram app, click Delete Account, confirm.
How to delete Telegram on Android?
Use web method at my.telegram.org/auth for immediate deletion. Or set self-destruction: Settings > Privacy and Security > If Away > 1 month.
Can I recover a deleted Telegram account?
No. Deletion is permanent and instant. All messages, contacts, groups, and channels are erased. No grace period.
How to download Telegram data before deleting?
Use Telegram Desktop: Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram Data. Select chats, media, files to export as HTML. Do this before deletion.